U.S. patent application number 13/625163 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for beverage dispensing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to IMI CORNELIUS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is IMI CORNELIUS INC.. Invention is credited to Bryant Crane, Jeffrey DeBuhr, Thaddeus Jablongski, David M. Joyce, James Kassalis.
Application Number | 20130075426 13/625163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47909918 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crane; Bryant ; et
al. |
March 28, 2013 |
BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure,
a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and
a staging structure linked with the transportation structure. A
control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging
structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is
linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides
signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification
system having an interactive display is connected to the control
system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the
position and characteristics of a cup.
Inventors: |
Crane; Bryant; (Chicago,
IL) ; Jablongski; Thaddeus; (Palatine, IL) ;
Joyce; David M.; (Des Plaines, IL) ; Kassalis;
James; (Lombard, IL) ; DeBuhr; Jeffrey;
(Bartlett, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IMI CORNELIUS INC.; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IMI CORNELIUS INC.
Glendale Heights
IL
|
Family ID: |
47909918 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625163 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61537709 |
Sep 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/129 ;
414/222.01; 414/222.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 2210/00076
20130101; B67D 1/0894 20130101; B67D 1/0888 20130101; B67D 1/0041
20130101; B65G 47/901 20130101; B66F 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/129 ;
414/222.01; 414/222.13 |
International
Class: |
B65G 49/00 20060101
B65G049/00; B67D 7/06 20100101 B67D007/06 |
Claims
1. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a dispensing
structure; a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing
structure; a staging structure linked with the transportation
structure; wherein the dispensing structure is decoupled from the
transportation mechanism and staging structure.
2. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a cup placement device removing a cup
from a cup dispenser and positioning the cup on a dispensing
lane.
3. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cup
placement device includes Y and Z-axis actuators for moving the cup
placement device in two dimensions.
4. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a dispensing lane having a rail grid
including a plurality of separated rails having spaces there
between.
5. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the
dispensing lane includes an angled front edge.
6. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a lift platform having a plurality of
spaced rails and a raised front edge.
7. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 6 wherein the rails
of the lift platform are positioned to move within spaces of the
rail grid of a dispensing lane in the Y and Z axes.
8. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 7 including Y and Z
actuators connected to the lift platform moving the lift platform
up and down on the Z axis relative to the rail grid and along the Y
axis of the rail grid.
9. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 4 including an ice
dispenser and a beverage dispensing valve positioned above the rail
grid of the dispense lane and spaced from each other along the
Y-axis of the dispensing lane.
10. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the
dispensing lane includes an ice dispense position, a beverage
filling position and a transportation position.
11. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
transportation mechanism includes an X transport structure
positioned along a back of the beverage dispensing apparatus.
12. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the X
transport structure includes an X rail grid structure positioned
above a rail grid structure of a dispensing lane rail grid
structure, the X rail grid including a plurality of rails having
spaces there between.
13. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 11 including a
bracket attached to the X rail grid and further attached to an X
axis actuator.
14. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 13 including lateral
support structures attached to the bracket supporting a cup as it
travels laterally.
15. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
staging structure includes a plurality of rail grids laterally
spaced from each other on an X axis.
16. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 15 wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a plurality of separated rails
having spaces there between and an angled front edge.
17. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 15 wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a lift platform having a
plurality of spaced rails and a raised front edge.
18. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 17 wherein the rails
of the lift platform are positioned to move within spaces of the
rail grid of a staging lane in the Y and Z axes.
19. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 18 including Y and Z
actuators connected to the lift platform moving the lift platform
up and down on the Z axis relative to the rail grid and along the Y
axis of the rail grid.
20. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 15 wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a plurality of positions along
a Y axis for locating filled cups.
21. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 including a
housing receiving the staging structure, dispensing structure and
the transportation mechanism defining a sink area.
22. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sink
area includes a trough formed on a front of the beverage dispensing
apparatus, the trough including drains allowing liquid to flow to a
desired location.
23. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 21 wherein Y and Z
actuators of lift platforms of the staging structure and the
dispensing structure are located in the sink area.
24. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 23 including
housings having wipers positioned above the Y and Z actuators.
25. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 24 wherein the lift
platforms include a bracket attached between the actuators and the
lift platform, the bracket sliding between the wipers.
26. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 including a
control system linked with the dispensing structure, staging
structure and the transportation mechanism.
27. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 26 including a
sensor mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor
mechanism providing signals indicating the position of a cup.
28. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 27 wherein the
sensor mechanism includes a camera providing a visual signal of the
position of a cup.
29. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 26 including a cup
identification system having an interactive display connected to
the control system, the display having visual characteristics
indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.
30. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a dispensing
structure; a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing
structure; a staging structure linked with the transportation
structure; a control system linked with the dispensing structure,
staging structure and the transportation mechanism; a sensor
mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor mechanism
providing signals indicating the position of a cup; a cup
identification system having an interactive display connected to
the control system, the display having visual characteristics
indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.
31. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a cup placement device removing a cup
from a cup dispenser and positioning the cup on a dispensing
lane.
32. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a dispensing lane having a rail grid
including a plurality of separated rails having spaces there
between.
33. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the
dispensing structure includes a lift platform having a plurality of
spaced rails and a raised front edge wherein the rails of the lift
platform are positioned to move within spaces of the rail grid of a
dispensing lane in the Y and Z axes.
34. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the
transportation mechanism includes an X transport structure
positioned along a back of the beverage dispensing apparatus and
wherein the X transport structure includes an X rail grid structure
positioned above a rail grid structure of a dispensing lane rail
grid structure, the X rail grid including a plurality of rails
having spaces there between.
35. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the
staging structure includes a plurality of rail grids laterally
spaced from each other on an X axis wherein each of the plurality
of rail grids includes a plurality of separated rails having spaces
there between and an angled front edge.
36. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 35 wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a lift platform having a
plurality of spaced rails and a raised front edge and wherein the
rails of the lift platform are positioned to move within spaces of
the rail grid of a staging lane in the Y and Z axes.
37. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a dispensing
structure including a dispensing lane having a rail grid including
a plurality of separated rails having spaces there between and a
lift platform having a plurality of spaced rails and a raised front
edge wherein the rails of the lift platform are positioned to move
within the spaces of the rail grid of the dispensing lane in the Y
and Z axes; a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing
structure; a staging structure linked with the transportation
structure, the staging structure including a plurality of rail
grids laterally spaced from each other on an X axis wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a plurality of separated rails
having spaces there between and an angled front edge; a control
system linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and
the transportation mechanism; a sensor mechanism linked with the
control system, the sensor mechanism providing signals indicating
the position of a cup; a cup identification system having an
interactive display connected to the control system, the display
having visual characteristics indicating the position and
characteristics of a cup.
38. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 37 wherein each of
the plurality of rail grids includes a lift platform having a
plurality of spaced rails and a raised front edge and wherein the
rails of the lift platform are positioned to move within spaces of
the rail grid of a staging lane in the Y and Z axes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/537,709 filed Sep. 22, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to beverage dispensing apparatus
including dispensing and staging of drinks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Beverages may be dispensed through various valves such that
fountain drinks may be prepared by restaurant employees. Commonly,
restaurant employees may take an order and then manually pull cups
and fill the beverages according to the order. There is therefore a
need in the art for an improved beverage dispensing apparatus that
is automated and allows a person filling an order to identify
drinks grouped by order or type. There is also a need in the art
for an improved beverage dispensing system that automates the drink
dispensing procedure and transports beverages to a desired area
where they may be identified and utilized by restaurant
personnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect there is disclosed, a beverage dispensing
apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation
mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging
structure linked with the transportation structure. The dispensing
structure is decoupled from the transportation mechanism and
staging structure.
[0005] In another aspect there is disclosed, a beverage dispensing
apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation
mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging
structure linked with the transportation structure. A control
system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure
and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with
the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals
indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system
having an interactive display is connected to the control system.
The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and
characteristics of a cup.
[0006] In a further aspect there is disclosed, a beverage
dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a
transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a
staging structure linked with the transportation structure. The
dispensing structure include a dispensing lane having a rail grid
including a plurality of separated rails having spaces there
between and a lift platform having a plurality of spaced rails and
a raised front edge wherein the rails of the lift platform are
positioned to move within the spaces of the rail grid of the
dispensing lane in the Y and Z axes. The a staging structure is
linked with the transportation structure. The staging structure
includes a plurality of rail grids laterally spaced from each other
on an X axis wherein each of the plurality of rail grids includes a
plurality of separated rails having spaces there between and an
angled front edge. A control system is linked with the dispensing
structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A
sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor
mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup
identification system having an interactive display is connected to
the control system. The display has visual characteristics
indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage
dispensing apparatus;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing
structure, transportation mechanism and staging structure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the sink structure
including the housing and wipers and the lift platform;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuators and bracket of
the lift platform;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the actuators and lift
platform of the staging structure with the platform raised;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the actuators and
lift platform of the staging structure with the lift platform
lowered;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing
structure, transportation mechanism and staging structure with the
sensor;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view showing the positions of the dispensing
and staging lanes;
[0015] FIG. 9 is view of the cup identification system and
display;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a cup placement
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] It should be realized that the descriptions provided herein
and made with reference to an X, Y and Z axis of the apparatus as
shown in the drawings. The X axis may refer to a lateral axis or
lateral movement. The Y axis may refer to a forward and backward
axis and corresponding movement forward and backwards. The Z axis
may refer to an up and down axis and corresponding movement up and
down. These terms may be used interchangeably in the specification
and claims.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, there is shown one embodiment of a
beverage dispensing apparatus 20. In one aspect, the beverage
dispensing apparatus 20 includes a dispensing structure 22, a
transportation mechanism 24, and a staging structure 26. In one
aspect, the dispensing structure 22 may be decoupled from the
transportation mechanism 24 and staging structure 26. The beverage
dispensing apparatus may include a housing 28 that contains the
various structures of the beverage dispensing apparatus.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, there is shown one embodiment
of a dispensing structure 22 of the beverage dispensing apparatus
20. The beverage dispensing structure 22 may include a cup
placement device 30. Various cup placement devices 30 may be
utilized. For example, various gripping type mechanisms may remove
a cup 32 from a storage bin 34 and position it for dispensing of
ice and beverage. In the depicted embodiment, the cup placement
device 30 includes actuators 36 having suction cup gripping
mechanisms 38 that may be actuated using a pneumatic air control
system 40 linked with the suction cups 38. Additionally, various
actuators such as a Z and Y actuator 40, 42 as shown in the
depicted embodiment may move the cup placement device 30 from one
location to another such that cups 32 may be provided in a desired
location.
[0020] The dispensing structure 22 also includes a dispensing lane
structure 44. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing lane
structure 44 is positioned on a common X axis with the cup
placement device 30. The dispensing lane structure 44 includes a
rail grid 46 having spaces 48 between a plurality of rails 50 such
that water or a beverage may pass through the grid 46.
Additionally, the rail grid 46 includes an angled front edge 52
such that ice and foreign objects on the rail grid 46 may be moved
from the rail by a lift platform 54, as will be described in more
detail below. Additionally, the dispensing lane structure 44
includes a lift platform 54 having a raised front edge 56 and a
plurality of rails 58 that are positioned to move within the spaces
48 defined in the rail grid 46 of the dispensing lane. The lift
platform 54 is coupled with Y and Z actuators 60, 62 such that the
platform may be moved along a Y direction of the rail grid 46 as
well as in a Z direction or up and down relative to the rail grid
46. In this manner, the lift platform 54 may be moved below the
rail grid 46 in the Y direction and then raised and lowered under a
cup 32 that is positioned on the rail grid 46 such that the cup 32
may be moved from one location to another along the Y axis of the
rail grid 46.
[0021] In one aspect, the lifting mechanism or Z actuator 62 is
capable of at least supporting and lifting a minimum weight
determined by the largest cup filled with beverage. Additionally,
the Z actuator 62 may lift the lift platform 54 straight up and
slow enough so that a cup 32 does not fall over or cause liquid to
be sloshed over an edge of the side wall of the cup 32. Further,
the stopping and starting for the Y actuator 60 which may be a
linear type mechanism maybe chosen such that the acceleration and
deceleration coupled with the velocity of the motor move the cup 32
in a stable manner.
[0022] The dispensing structure 22 additionally includes an ice
dispenser 64 and a beverage dispensing valve 66 positioned above
the rail grid 46 of the dispensing lane 44. In one aspect, the ice
dispenser 64 and beverage dispensing valve 66 are positioned along
the Y axis of the dispensing lane structure 44 and are spaced from
each other along the Y axis. The dispensing lane structure 44
includes a position (D1) along the Y axis of the dispensing lane 44
that corresponds to an ice filling position below the ice dispenser
64. Additionally, the dispensing lane structure 44 includes a
position (D2) along the Y axis of the dispensing lane 44 below the
beverage dispensing valve 66 corresponding to a beverage filling
position.
[0023] The dispensing structure 22 additionally includes an X
transport structure 68 positioned along a back of the beverage
dispensing apparatus 20. The X transport structure 68 includes a
rail structure 70 having a rail grid 72 corresponding to the same
spaced rail grid structure of the dispensing lane structure
previously described above. However, the rail grid 72 is positioned
above the dispensing lane structure 44 in the Z axis. Additionally,
the X transport structure 68 includes a bracket 74 coupled with the
rail grid 72 and attached to an actuator 76 that moves the rail
grid structure 72 along an X axis as shown in the figures.
Additionally, lateral support structures or members 78 may be
attached to the bracket 74 of the X transport structure 68 for
supporting a cup 32 as it travels along the X direction. Various
actuators may be utilized to move the rail grid 72 about the X
axis. For example, linear actuators may be utilized and may be
calibrated such that movement does not spill a beverage after it
has been filled underneath the beverage dispensing valve 66.
[0024] In one aspect, the dispensing structure 22 is a decoupled
zone that allows ice to be dispensed into one cup 32 while the
desired beverage is being poured simultaneously into a second cup
32, and also while the cup placement device is positioning a cup on
the dispensing lane 44. This decoupled zone separates the dispense
structure 22 from the cup placement device 30 and a staging
structure 26, as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, there is shown a staging
structure 26 of the beverage dispensing apparatus 20. The staging
structure 26 includes a plurality of rail grids 80 that are
laterally spaced from each other along the X axis. The rail grids
80 again are the same as that described above with respect to the
dispensing lane structure 44. The rail grid 80 includes a plurality
of rails 50 having spaces 48 there between and an angled front edge
52 as previously described. Additionally, a lift platform 54 is
positioned under each of the plurality of rail grids 80 and
includes Y and Z actuators 60, 62 as described above. Again, the
lift platform 54 may include a raised front edge 56 for defining a
plowing structure such that ice or foreign objects that may be
positioned on the rail grid 80 may be swept towards a front along
the Y axis to the angled front edge 52 of the rail grid 80 such
that foreign objects may be removed that can cause a cup 32 or
drink to be spilled. Each of the plurality of rail grids 80
includes a plurality of positions along the Y axis of the rail
grids 80 for locating filled beverage cups, as will be discussed in
more detail below.
[0026] The beverage dispensing apparatus 20 includes a housing 28
that surrounds the staging structure 26 as well as the dispensing
structure 22 and defines a sink area 82. In one aspect, the sink
area 82 includes a trough 84 positioned at a front of the apparatus
relative to the angled portion 52 of the rail grids 50 such that
ice or foreign objects may be caught within the trough 84.
Additionally, the trough 84 may include drains 86 as seen in FIG.
3. In one aspect, a drain 86 may be positioned at all three of the
staging lanes 80 and the dispensing lane 44. The drains 86 may be
linked with a drain tube to allow liquid to flow to a desired
area.
[0027] In one aspect, the Y and Z actuators 60, 62 associated with
the lift platform 54 are protected from contact with a liquid or
other object such as ice. In one aspect, the Y and Z actuators 60,
62 are located within the sink area 82. To prevent the direct
contact of liquid, housings 86 including wipers 88 are positioned
above the moving parts protecting them. As best shown in FIGS. 3-6,
the lift platform 54 attaches to a bracket 90 that slides in
between the wipers 88. In this manner, the bracket 90 makes it
difficult for any liquid to penetrate to the Y and Z actuators 60,
62 positioned below.
[0028] In one aspect, the dispense and staging structures 22, 26 as
described above include a plurality of defined positions to
identify where a specific beverage is located. In one aspect, the
staging structure 26 may include four defined positions 92 for each
of the rail grids 80 that progress together. Additionally, the
dispensing structure 22 may include two dispensing positions 94
located between the ice dispense 64 and beverage valve 66 as well
as an X translation position 96 that moves the filled beverage
along an X axis into one of three X positions 98 on the rail grids
as best seen in FIG. 8. It should be realized that various numbers
of staging locations 92 and dispensing locations may be utilized.
For example, the staging structure may include nine staging
locations 92 rather than twelve staging locations 92. In one
aspect, the twelve cup locations 92 within the staging area are
independent of one another allowing for control of any location on
the staging grid 80. A control system 100 can dispense the drink
orders in a first-in first-out method or an intelligent sorting
type method. The control system 100 may make decisions on which
order to process first based on food preparation times as well as
other requirements that may be utilized such as the amount of
drinks with an order as well as various other parameters from the
point of sale orders.
[0029] In one aspect, the control system 100 may review outputs
from a sensing system 102 such as an ultrasonic, infrared, or an
optical and vision based system as shown in the figures. In this
manner, the control system 100 identifies positions within the
staging structure 26 as well as the dispensing structure 22. As the
point of sale orders are processed and a drink is completed, the
drink will be positioned in various positions in the dispensing and
staging structure 22, 26. In one aspect, when the staging structure
26 is completely empty a completed drink will be positioned into
lane 1, position 1 or L1, P1 as shown in FIG. 8. The control system
100 then looks to see if the next drink is within the same order
and reviews the sensor feedback. If the next drink is for the same
order and the first drink is still within the L1, P1 position, then
the control system 100 would actuate the lift platform 54
associated with the lane 1 and position the cup 32 into L1, P2
position. If the previous drink has been removed, then the control
system may move the new drink to the original position L1, P1. For
example, if there are four drinks in an order and none are pulled,
the fourth cup may be positioned in the L1, P4 or in the L2, P3
configuration. In this case, the first drink of the next order
would then end in L3, P1.
[0030] The control system 100 repositions open staging positions 92
by back filling. The control logic is programmed such that it
allows the system to always have drinks located at the front of the
unit so that they may be easily accessible by an operator of the
beverage dispensing apparatus 20. With each lane position being
fully independent, cups 32 can be easily repositioned when the
sensor provides feedback stating a cup in a specified position has
been removed. For example, if P1 is removed and P2 and P3 still
exist within a lane, then the control mechanism 100 can perform an
operation such that the lift platform 54 is raised below the cup 32
and can move these cups up one position at a time. If P1 and P2 are
both removed, then a cup in P3 can be moved to the front position
P1. This movement opens up the back positions to be filled with new
orders.
[0031] Additionally, if the staging structure is partially filled
the control mechanism 100 may move filled cups 32 to various
positions. For example, if all lanes have P1 filled with an order,
the next order may fill in the next open positions. Orders may
possibly be filled across multiple lanes. If only single positions
are available and there are single and multiple drinks within a
point of sale, then the control system 100 will populate the single
orders filling in the open positions. Additionally, if there are
twelve individual single orders the orders may start filling at L1,
P1. As long as no cups are pulled, the next orders continue to fill
up in the following progression: L2, P1; L3, P1; L1, P2 all the way
through until all twelve positions are occupied.
[0032] As stated above, a sensor mechanism 102 is associated with
the control system 100. Various mechanisms may be utilized such as
discrete sensors positioned at each location either in the sink
area or positioned above a desired location along the Y axis of the
rail grid. A further option is a vision or optical type system that
utilizes one camera to view the entire area, as shown in FIG. 7. In
one aspect, the vision system covers the staging structure 26 as
well as the dispensing 22 and transport areas 24. An optical type
or vision system may utilize information provided by a camera to
supplement error handling associated with the system. For example,
should a cup 32 not be positioned correctly under the ice
dispensing or beverage dispensing portion of the dispensing lane,
the control system 100 may recognize that there is no cup 32
positioned in a desired location such that a beverage or ice is not
dispensed into a cup 32 that is not present.
[0033] In one aspect, as depicted in FIG. 9 a cup identification
system 106 is associated with the beverage dispensing apparatus 20.
The cup identification system 106 may include a touch screen or
information unit 108 that identifies specific locations and orders
associated with the beverage dispensing apparatus 20. In one
aspect, as the point of sale orders are received, the drink orders
are populated on the screen 108. Each order may be identified
differently using a shape or color to make it easy to identify for
an operator. In one aspect, each cup identifier 110 positioned on
the screen 108 indicates the order number and a size or type of
drink contents. As the desired drink progresses through the
beverage dispensing apparatus 20, the identifier 110 also moves on
the screen 108 at the same locations corresponding to positions on
the rail grids. In this manner, an operator may easily identify a
desired drink associated with a specific order and know exactly
where it is positioned within the beverage dispensing apparatus
20.
[0034] It is also disclosed herein a process for dispensing and
locating a beverage. The process includes the step of an order
being entered by an operator with a corresponding display on the
cup identification system 106 displaying a drink to be dispensed.
The cup 32 will then be picked by the cup placement device 30 using
one of two methods. In one method, cups 32 may be stored in a
linear storage system such that a linear actuator along the Y axis
moves to a proper cup 32 within a plurality of tubes oriented in a
single row. Alternatively, a rotary cup storage device as shown in
FIG. 1 may include a cup turret that rotates to a proper cup so it
is aligned with the center of the dispense lane 44. A Z actuator 40
then moves the cup 32 upward to align the suction cups 38 to the
highest exposed part of the cup 32 just below the tube. Input air
is then provided to the suction cup 38 such that vacuum generators
112 are actuated. Next an actuator in the Y direction 42 moves the
suction cups 38 toward the cup 32 perpendicular to the center line
of the cup 32 and engages with the cup 32. If vacuum sensors are
utilized, a control signal will notify that a cup 32 is ready to be
pulled. Next the Z actuator 40 moves the cup 32 downward and the
cup 32 is then removed from the storage device. The dispense lane
actuator drives forward with the platform 54 raised such that the
raised front edge 56 of the platform 54 clears any ice that might
exist on the dispense lane 44. Once the platform 54 has reached the
front of the rail it then lowers all the way down. Next the Y
actuator 42 of the cup placement device 30 moves the cup 32 towards
the dispense lane 44 and pushes the cup 32 into a desired position.
Input air is then closed causing the vacuum generators 112 to shut
off. The Y and Z actuators 42, 40 move simultaneously down and away
to place the cup 32 on the dispense lane grid underneath the ice
dispenser 64. The Y actuator 42 moves the suction cups 38 to a rest
position away from the dispensing zone. A gate then opens and a
portion amount of ice is dispensed into the cup 32. The drink
identifier 110 on the display 108 indicates that ice is dispensing
into a desired cup 32. The platform 54 is then actuated in the Z
direction below the cup 32 such that the cup 32 is raised above the
rails 50. Following movement in the Z direction, the cup 32 is then
moved along the Y axis to the position below the beverage
dispensing nozzle 66. Once the cup 32 has been positioned to the
desired location, the platform 54 then lowers the cup 32 onto the
rails 50 on the desired beverage dispensing position. Following
movement of the cup 32, a proper amount of beverage is dispensed by
actuating multiple valves such that a syrup and water exit through
a single dispense point nozzle. The drink identifier 110 on the
display screen 108 indicates that a beverage is dispensing into a
desired cup 32. The platform 54 below the dispense lane 44
following dispensing of the beverage into the cup 32 again
positions below the cup 32 and actuates in a Z direction such that
the cup 32 is lifted above the rails 50. Following movement in the
Z direction, the platform is then moved in the Y direction such
that it transports the cup 32 to the X transport structure. Once
the cup is positioned on the rail grid of the X transport structure
68, the platform 54 then lowers below the dispensing lane grid 44.
The X transport structure 68 moves the filled beverage along the X
axis to a desired position on one of the staging lanes 80. Once the
X transport structure is positioned along a desired lane 80, the
lift platform 54 below that lane actuates in a Y direction directly
underneath the X transport structure 68 and lifts the filled drink
to a desired position along the Y axis of a desired staging lane
80. The control mechanism 100 provides instructions for the X
transport structure 68 as well as the various lift platforms 54 of
the staging lanes 80 such that drinks may be stationed within one
of the staging positions based on order sequence and location
availability. The staging lanes 80 as indicated above may be
equipped with a sensing system 102 that states whether a cup or
object exists in a desired location. The drink identifier 110
associated with the display 108 moves to that location in the
staging lane once the beverage has been positioned within a
specific location. In one aspect, the identifier 110 includes the
order number as well as a size and drink contents for an individual
cup. Once a location has been vacated by an operator removing the
cup, the staging Y and X actuators and lift platforms 54 move
various other cups 32 to back fill empty spaces within the staging
lanes 80.
[0035] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
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